Ironing table



April 30, 1940. FLAGSTAD 2,198,606

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ATTORNEY.

April 30, 1940.

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ATTORNEY.

April 30, 1940. o. A. FLAGSTAD IRONING TABLE Filed Oct. 23. 19257 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 osau-Afifig d, al a Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE IRONING TABLE Oscar A. Flagstad, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application October 23, 1937, Serial No. 170,511

3 Claims. (Cl. 38-119) This invention relates to collapsible ironing tables and the main object is to provide an emcient, rigid, practical and comparatively simple and economically designed construction of table 6 in which the collapsing and setting up operations are virtually automatic, by which is meant that it is only necessary for the operator to lift and tilt the table into either vertical or horizontal positions, whereupon the force of gravity will 10 act to effect the collapsing and setting up operations without other manual effort.

The invention particularly represents certain improvements over the structure disclosed and claimed in my United States Patent No. 2,056,004,

15 issued September 29, 1936, for Ironing table, and

to which reference is made.

In theaccompanying drawings, which disclose various forms of the present invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective elevation ofv a col- 20 lapsible ironing table embodying the preferred form of the invention, the structure being shown in its set up or operative position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the table shown in Figure 1, but in a lifted, and partially tilted g5 and collapsed condition.

Figure 3 is a plan elevation of the lower side of the table when in its vertical and fully collapsed condition, the lower portion being broken away for lack of space.

30 Figure 4 Han enlarged detail section on line 4-4 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail section on line 5-4 in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective elevation similar 35 to a portion of Figure 2, but showing the structure as omitting the brace lock, which feature is not necessarily required in the table.

Figure 7 is a perspective elevation of a modifled form of table, in a partially lifted and collapsed condition.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the table as shown in Figure "I, but in fully set up condition.

Figures 9 and 10 correspond to Figures 7 and 8, respectively, but show a further modification of the invention.

7 Reference will now-be made to the various figures of the drawings by reference characters. like parts being designated by like characters in the various views. It may here be noted that so as a matter of convenience the terms "board" or "ironing board" will be used-in its popular sense to indicatebroadly the flat element presenting the'ironing surface, and regardless of the material of which it may be made; and the terms .1 "table" or ironing table" will be employed in the broad sense including both the board" and the legs, braces, and other collapsible elements.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, showing the preferred embodiment of the invention, A designates the ironing board and it is primarily supported on a rear supporting leg frame B and a front supporting leg frame C. When set upthe leg frames B and C are connected and braced in spread positions by a connector frame D, and the rear end of the board is braced with respect to the rear leg frame by a brace frame E.

The two leg frames B and C are pivotally attached at their upper ends, as at II, to depending lugs l2 of a cross bar l3 secured to the underside of the board A. so that the leg frames may swing from the set up or erected position shown in Figure 1, to the collapsed or folded position as illustrated in Figure 3.

The front leg frame, C, comprises two converging bars ll and I5, rigidly connected at their forward ends to form a supporting foot. The rear leg frame, B, comprises two bars I6 and H, which are slightly spread, downwardly, as shown in Figure 3, to give better lateral support to the board, and these bars or legs are rigidly connected by a transverse bar l8, secured to the legs as at Ill. The major portion of the bar I8 is of angle iron construction, to lend rigidity, but just within the legs l6 and I1 the bar [8 is formed with substantially V-,shaped notch portions 20 for the purpose of receiving and guiding the lower ends of a pair of links 2|, the upper ends of which are pivoted to the legs IB-ll, as at 22.

The links 2! are pivotally engaged, near their swinging ends, by a cross rod 23 of the brace frame E, which frame also includes two arms 24 and 25 that converge upwardly for permanent pivotal connection, as at 26, to the rear underside of the board A, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3. The rods 24 and 25 are preferably integral continuations of the rod 23, and the triangular form' of the frame E is such as to constitute a truss, both supporting the board against tilting on the axes ii and also bracing it against lateral twisting or swaying motion.

The connecting frame D comprises a pair of converging rods 21 and 28 integrally connected at their forward ends where they pivotally engage the forward leg frame as at 29.. The rear extremities of these rods have eyes 30 which turnably engage the rod 23, of frame E. just inside the links 2|. The rod 23 may also have an oscillatable sleeve 3| provided with an operating handle 22. This sleeve has a pair of curved hooks 33 adapted to interlock with slots 34 in the cross bar II, for the purpose of releasably locking the various parts together.

Attention is now directed to the ironing table illustrated inFigures 7 and 8 wherein the supporting and bracing structure is capable of the same automatic collapsing and set up operation as in the preferred form shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, but has the added feature that when the rear supporting leg frame is in erected or operative position the leg bars are transversely spread at their lower ends so as to more rigidly support .the board, but when the table is collapsed, the rear leg bars are contracted or swung inwardly toward each other so that they will not project beyond the lateral limits of the board proper. This is a particularly advantageous feature for shipping purposes inasmuch as the supporting structure will thus be farmore compact and can be crated in considerably narrower cartons than would otherwise be the case.

In this form of the invention the board A and front leg C are shown as being identical with the corresponding elements in the preferred form of the invention. In this instance, however, the rear leg frame Bl has leg bars 35 and 35 that are pivoted as at H to the lugs I2. The pivoting connections, however, have sufficient play so that they permit the spreading and contracting action of the legs 35 and 35 without binding.

Instead of being connected by a rigid cross bar, as in Figures 1 to 6, the legs 35-35 are connected by a toggle consisting of two links 31, the outer ends of which are pivoted to the legs 35-38 while the inner ends overlap and are pivotally connect" ed by a pin 38 which also passes through the lower end of an operating bar 39. The upper end of this bar is in turn pivotally connected to the under side of the board A as at 40. The pivot bracket 40 is spaced somewhat rearwardly of the cross bar I3 and the parts are so proportioned that whenthe table is in set up position the links 31 are in bracing alignment with each other-as shown in Figure 8 and are positively locked or retained in this position by the rod 39. When.

the table is picked up and tilted toward its vertical or collapsed position, as suggested in Figure 7, the leg frame BI is swung to the right or in a forward direction and as this occurs the rod 38 creates a pull on the pivot 38 causing the toggle 31 to break upwardly and pull the legs 35-36 inwardly toward each other. As the movement continues, the legs are pulled in to their fully contracted positions upon reaching the nested position against the under side of the board A.

The bracing structure employed in the device of Figures 7 and 8 includes a connector frame DI and a bracing frame Cl, both of which are, substantially V-shaped in form. The frame DI comprises two converging side bars 4|, the forward ends of which are integrally connected and pivotally secured to the front leg frame 0 as at 42. The rear extremities of the rods 4! are pivotally joined to the lower ends of the .bars 43 which constitute the frame Ci. The upper ends of these bars 43 are pivotally attached as at 28 to the rear end of the board A as in the preferred form of the invention. The pivots 44 which connect the adjoining ends of the bars 4| and 43 also connect these bars to the swinging ends of links 45. The opposite ends of these links are in turn pivoted as at 45 to the legs 35 and 35, and when the supporting structure is in erected position, these links 45 rest and are braced in angle iron brackets 41 secured to the respective legs 35 and 35.

Referring now to the modified structure as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, it includes a board A, a front leg frame 0, a connector frame D2, and a brace frame C2, all of which are substantially identical with the corresponding elements as described in connection with Figures '7 and 8. In this instance, the rear leg frame B2 is spreadable and contractable under the action of a pair of toggle links 43. In this instance, however, a pull rod such as 35 in Figures 7-8 is not used, but in preference theretothe toggle is operated directly from the links 48 through the medium of a third pair of links-or short bars 50. It will be understood from this construction that when the table is moved through its collapsing movements the rearward and upward swing of the links 48 with respect to the legs 5| will produce a pull on the rods 55 and this will in turn break the toggle 48 and cause the legs 5| to swing inwardly toward each other. It will, of course, be understood that there is sufficient play at the pivot ends of the rods 58 where they connect with links 48 and 48 to eliminate any possibility of binding due to the swinging action in different planes. ,When the table is to be restored to its set up position the downward return movement of the links 49 with respect to the legs 5|, and under the joint action of the frames C2 and D2, will impart a pushing action on the rods 50 which will restore the toggle links 48 to their aligned positions, as shown in Figure 10, and will, of course, retain them in this transverse, leg bracing condition.

The operation of the various table forms thus described will no doubt be obvious, but nevertheless the following additional explanation is made. Referring first to the preferred form of the structure as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, it may first be assumed that the table is in its vertical and operative position as evidenced by the disclosure of Figure 3. When in this position, the table may be conveniently stored in a closet or other out of the way place and may either rest directly upon the fioor or may be hung on a hook from a loop 52 which is provided for that purpose and is preferable to standing on the fioor, as it keeps the cover of the board out of contact with the fioor surface. To set up the table the board A is merely grasped by the operator and gradually tilted into horizontal position while preferably held out of all contact with the fioor. During this tilting action the various frames drop or swing downwardly from the centers II and '26 until all of the parts are in the final position 8 shown in Figure 1. When the table is now placed with its full weight upon the fioor there is a spreading pressure as between the front and rear leg frames, which is carried through the connector frame D to firmly or at least eifectively lock the links 2i in the recesses 20. Incidentally these recesses are so formed that they will earn the links into their final positions at which time they firmly engage shoulders 20a of the cross bar l8 and thus rigidly retain the links against lateral vibration or movement when the table is in set up position. The bar frame E now connects the rear end of the board A to the remaining supporting structure in such a way that it will not only hold the bar in a rigid horizontal position, but will also brace it against lateral swaying due to the trussing effect of the converging bars 24 and 25. The table as thus described is entirely rigid and none of the bracing structure can be dislocated, due to any downward pressure on any part of the upper surface of the board, and the only way the relative position of the parts can be changed is by first lifting the board and then tilting it as above described. Consequently it is not necessary to provide a locking mechanism to render the structure fully operative and useful. Insome instances, however, it is desirable to provide means for rendering the entire supporting structure locked against collapsing action under any circumstances and, for that reason, I have provided the latching mechanism 3l33 and when this latch is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 5 the various frames, B, D, and E are releasably locked together. To release this lock it is only necessary for the operator to reach down and lift the hand lever 32 whereupon the latch fingers 33 will be withdrawn from the slots 34 and thereupon the table may be collapsed or set up as above described.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, a rear leg frame pivotally attached to the board intermediate the ends thereof and including a pair of laterally disposed depending legs, a front leg frame pivotally attached to the board intermediate the ends thereof and including a pair of bars converging to a single foot support under the fore end of the board, a tension member of constant length for connecting the front and rear leg frames to prevent spreading thereof beyond erected positions and including bars converging from points adjacent the rear legs to a point adjacent the foot end of the front leg frame, and a brace frame for bracing the rear end of the board with respect to the rear leg frame, said brace frame having bracing connections at its upper and lower ends with the board and rear leg frame and forming a triangular bracing assembly whereby downward pressure on the brace frame will be transmitted by the rear leg frame to the board at a point adjacent the connection of the front leg frame thereto, one of said bracing connections comprising a link device pivoted to the brace frame and rear end of the tension member and cooperating therewith to form an extensible linkage system, one end of which has a fixed pivot connection to the rearleg frame and the other end of which is pivoted to the board.

2. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally attached at their upper ends to the board and diverging downwardly when in operative positions, a tension member connecting the leg frames to prevent spreading of the same beyond.

predetermined operative positions, an inverted V- shaped brace frame operating as a truss braced between the rear end of the board and the rear leg frame to thereby support the board in horizontal position and brace the rear end thereof by transmitting the stress to the rear leg frame, connections pivotally attaching the upper and lower ends of the inverted V-shaped brace frame to the board and the tension member, respectively, one of said connections including a link device connecting the brace frame to the rear leg frame and cooperating with the brace frame to form a foldable linkage assembly having fixed pivot connections with the board and said rear leg frame, and said linkage assembly being so arranged that when the rear leg frame is folded to a forward position adjacent the board the brace frame and link device will lie in a common plane in parallelism with the rear leg frame.

3. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally attached to the board on coaxial pivots extended in a transverse plane intermediate the ends of the board, a tension member of constant length extended between the front and rear leg frames, links connecting the said tension member to the rear leg frame, a brace frame extended between the rear of the board and rear leg frame and pivotally connected to the said links and the tension member, and means carried by the said rear leg frame for engaging said links and locking same against movement in one direction under influence of tension and compression exerted thereon by the tension member and the brace frame.

OSCAR A. FLAGSTAD. 

